United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) has appointed the Ultramar Group as its local liner shipping agency partner in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay as the liner company eyes greater presence in South America.
The appointment comes in the wake of UASC’s long-term general cooperation agreement with the Hamburg Süd Group that is set to expand UASC’ access to the East Coast of South America.
Under the Hamburg Süd cooperation, UASC’s services from North Europe to South America East Coast and Mediterranean to South America East Coast will commence in mid-April. The first sailing from Asia to South America East Coast is scheduled for the beginning of July .
“ From our existing relationship with Ultramar we know that we will be working with a trusted and committed partner. Ultramar has an outstanding track record in South America and we are confident that it can support our near and medium-term goals for this marketplace, ” said Jørn Hinge, President and CEO at UASC.
As an emerging global carrier that places customer service at the very heart of our operations, we are continuously exploring enhanced geographical reach and improved products, whilst always safeguarding reliability and service excellence. This development marks the next stage of our evolution in South America and gives a flavor of our longer term aspirations.”
UASC has just boosted its reefer fleet with an order for an additional 2,000 reefer units from Daikin. With an average age of just three years, UASC’s reefer fleet is one of the youngest in the industry and this latest order will directly support enhanced access to the South America trades for chilled and frozen cargoes, the company said.
In addition, by the end of 2015 UASC’s fleet will be boosted by the delivery of 11 of the world’s largest and most eco-efficient vessels, thanks to its current newbuilding program, which comprises eleven 15,000 TEU vessels and six 18,800 TEU vessels.